Villordsutch reviews Star Trek: Red Shirts #3…
It’s fair to say that the life of a Red Shirt aboard a Starfleet vessel is one of adventure—whether they want it or not. IDW Publishing has certainly opened our eyes to the brutal galaxy in which Starfleet’s security teams serve. Month by month, we’re seeing more and more of them crossed off the roster in vivid red ink before the story has even begun.
There’s absolutely no chance to catch your breath in this month’s issue of Star Trek: Red Shirts. The bait of the listening post on the inhospitable world of Arkonia 89 proves far too tempting for the unknown assailants. We, the readers, know who they are, but the way they strike – simultaneous attacks on the surface and a surprise orbital salvo – still catches both defenders and attackers completely off guard. It’s ruthless, efficient, and devastating. With casualties piling up on both sides in truly vicious fashion, a third unexpected party suddenly enters the fray.
Star Trek: Red Shirts #3 is brutal. Christopher Cantwell (Star Trek: Defiant) pulls no punches as he systematically removes pieces from the board by any means necessary – tactically, accidentally, or just plain horrifically. I sincerely hope you haven’t grown too fond of any particular characters, because in Cantwell’s world, heartbreak comes fast and without warning. It’s been a very long time since I’ve actually mouthed, “Oh my god!” at a comic book… but here, I did exactly that.
A huge part of that impact comes from Megan Levens’ (Starsigns) artwork. Last month, I mentioned her clear nods to Tales from the Crypt; this time, it feels like David Cronenberg would be delighted with the horror she unleashes in a single panel. It’s genuinely unsettling. It also makes you realise just how good a transporter operator Scotty really was, because Star Trek IV could have ended very differently when Dr. Gillian Taylor leapt onto Kirk mid-transport. I know this now. And I will never get that particular image from Star Trek: Red Shirts #3 out of my head.
Star Trek: Red Shirts #3 is a fantastic comic book. I read it cover to cover without once looking up; real life didn’t stand a chance against this chaotic, brutal, and unflinchingly violent corner of Star Trek. It’s a stark reminder that the Red Shirts of Starfleet have always been fighting hard to keep the Federation’s peaceful façade intact. If you’re not already reading this series, you really should be.
This isn’t a book for anyone who thought Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s “Move Along Home” was the pinnacle of Trek horror. No—Star Trek: Red Shirts #3 sets a new, grim standard for just how messy things get when Starfleet missions go very, very wrong.
Rating – 9/10
@Villordsutch
